Spring powered electric energy storage system

ABSTRACT

A self-sustaining electrical power generating system includes a spring system that stores stored energy, the spring system having an input for recharging the stored energy and an output for releasing the stored energy, wherein the spring system generates a monitor signal based on a status parameter of the spring system and wherein the spring system releases the stored energy in accordance with an output control signal. A generator converts the stored energy of the spring system into electric power. A spring recharge module recharges the stored energy of the spring system in response to a recharge control signal. A control module generates the recharge control signal and the output control signal, based on the monitor signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved system for generating electricalpower utilizing a spring as the energy source for generating electricalpower.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional electrical power generating systems which use fossil andnon-fossil fuels have adverse affects on the environment. For example,electrical power-generating systems that utilize fossil fuels, such ascoal or oil, produce residual materials which pollute the atmosphere.Those pollutants result from the burning of fossil fuels to generateheat to produce steam which operates turbines that drive electricalpower-producing generators. Other electrical power-generating systemswhich utilized atomic energy to produce steam cause radiation problemsin the disposal of spent radioactive fuel. Hydro-electric power systemsrequire expensive and elaborate structures, such as dams, which blockrivers, and water storage ponds or lakes, which can adversely impact theenvironment. Wind-operated systems, which use numerous windmills, arenot practical in many places because they require large areas and steadywinds. Also when used alone, windmills have limited application unlessareas have sufficient, consistent wind velocity and wind strength.Hence, efforts have been made to develop systems for generatingelectricity that eliminate or minimize the disturbance of theenvironment and the high expenses and ecological problems associatedwith conventional power-generating systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents a block diagram representation of a self-sustainingelectrical power generating system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates, in profile view, a system forconverting mechanical energy in to usable electric energy in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein contemplates an economical way to produceelectrical energy without adversely impacting the environment, withoututilizing fossil fuels, and without the need to construct largestructures such as dams or water retention lakes, and the like.

The invention herein is concerned with providing the “fuel” or energysource for operating electrical generators on a consistent basis usingthe mechanical force of metals that are formed into different shapesthru various processes, that become energy storage devices, such assprings. Springs are available in various configurations and can beconstructed with various types of metal. When a spring is coiled,compressed or otherwise put under stress in a charging or rechargingprocess, this stress or torsional force can be released and converted toelectric power.

The power generated by the system of the present invention can be usedas primary or supplemental power supply sources, for either mobile orestablished power-generating systems. Thus, the primary power isparticularly useful in generating reliable, ecologically sound and costefficient electric energy, in areas that do not have existing powerproviders. When the system is used for a supplemental power supply itcan provide electric energy during peak times when extra power isdemanded from established or local electrical power generatinginstallations. This can reduce the need for peaking power plants.

The amount of electricity generated can be varied. For example, wheninstalled in homes and businesses, the present invention can meeton-site energy demands, with excess energy being dispersed totransmission lines in order to provide sufficient electrical power toaugment or supplement a conventional electrical power-generating systemof a particular community or area. Thus, this system can be operatedduring peak hours of the electrical power demand. During non-peakperiods the system can be either shut down or operated to reduce thepower output of convention electrical power generation systemsoptionally used in conjunction therewith. This system can meet some orall of the power demands of a building, site or a community based on thescale of the implementation, providing a clean source of electricalpower.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a “point ofuse system” is provided. By generating electric power close to the pointof use under voltage issues can be eliminated and the energy demandedfrom our aging electrical infrastructure can be reduced. The system canbe turned on or off quickly, on short notice, for either supplying, ordiscontinuing supplying, electrical power without disrupting theexisting electrical systems. Moreover, the system adds relatively littleby way of structure so that the system can be constructed in a fashionthat is neither unsightly nor ecologically unacceptable toenvironmentally conscious consumers and communities.

Yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a relatively easilyand inexpensive mobile power system that can be set up quickly and havethe ability to meet the electric energy demands of a home, area oremergency zone.

FIG. 1 presents a block diagram representation of a self-sustainingelectrical power generating system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In particular, a self-sustaining electrical powergenerating system is shown that includes a spring system 206 that storesstored energy in a spring such as by either a torsional or translationaldisplacement. The spring system 206 has an input for recharging thestored energy and an output for releasing the stored energy. The springsystem 206 includes one or more sensors that generate a monitor signal210 based on a status parameter of the spring system 206, such as atorque, rotational velocity, strain, stress, or other operatingparameter of the spring system 206. In operation, the spring system 206releases the stored energy in response to an output control signal 212generated by control module 200 in response to the monitor signal 210.

A generator 202 is coupled to the output of the spring system 206 forconverting the stored energy of the spring system into electric power.In an embodiment of the present invention, the output of spring system206 includes a drive shaft that drives the generator 202 at a rotationalvelocity. In this embodiment, the monitor signal 210 indicates therotation velocity of the drive shaft and the control module 200 controlsthe rotation velocity of the drive shaft to a substantially constantvalue such as +/−10%, +/−5%, or to some greater or lesser variation toprovide a relatively stable source of electric power 204, based onconstant power constraints of the implementation of the self-sustainingpower generating system, if any. In particular, when the velocity of thedrive shaft exceeds a velocity threshold, control module 200 cangenerate output control signal 212 to slow down the drive shaft.

A spring recharge module 208 is coupled to the input of the springsystem 206 for recharging the stored energy of the spring system inresponse to a recharge control signal 214. In operation, the controlmodule 200 can determine, based on the monitor signal 210, when thestored energy of spring system 206 is running low, for instance, basedon a low output velocity, low strain, or other parameter. In thiscircumstance, the control module 200 can command the spring rechargemodule 208 to recharge the spring, such as by automatically winding itup, providing additional translational displacement, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spring recharge module208 operates by capturing one or more renewable energy resources aselectric power and storing the electric power in a battery or otherstorage device. When recharging is commanded via the recharge controlsignal 214, the stored electrical energy can be converted to torsionalor translation energy via a motor, gears and/or other drivers used todrive the input of the spring system 206. For instance, the springrecharge module 208 can include a solar panel 300 that converts solarenergy to electric power, a wind generator 302 that converts wind energyto electric power, a geothermal system 304 that converts geothermalenergy to electric power, a hydroelectric system 306 that converts waterpower to electric power, a tidal system 308 that converts tidal energyto electric power or other renewable energy system that convertsrenewable energy to electric power. In addition, the present inventioncan operate as either a primary energy system or energy storage systemin conjunction with a waste-water power generation system 310 thatconverts waster-water flow to electric power such as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/201,074, entitled “Waste Water ElectricalPower Generating System,” filed on Aug. 10, 2005, or “U.S. PatentApplication entitled Waste Water Electrical Power Generating System WithStorage System and Methods for Use Therewith,” filed on Oct. 30, 2007,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example,a waste water power generation system 310 can provide the renewableenergy, via conversion of waste-water flow to electric power, that canbe used to recharge the spring system 206. In addition, the presentinvention, operated with or without other renewable energy sources, canbe used as a supplemental energy source and/or storage subsystem to awaste water electric power generating system.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the spring rechargemodule 208 includes a regeneration module, such as a regenerativebraking system that, in circumstances when the output drive shaft of thespring system 206 is running at a higher than desired velocity, brakesthe output drive shaft electromagnetically and generates furtherelectrical energy that can be stored in a battery or other storagedevice. In this fashion, spring recharge module 208 can recharge thestored energy of spring system 206, at least in part, based on at leasta portion of the released stored energy derived from the output driveshaft. In accordance with this embodiment, control module 200 generatesoutput control signal 212 to apply the regenerative braking system inresponse to a value of monitor signal 210 indicating a greater thandesired velocity.

In an embodiment of the present invention, control module 200 can beimplemented using a shared processing device, individual processingdevices, or a plurality of processing devices and may further includememory. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor,micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, centralprocessing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logicdevice, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions. The memory may be a singlememory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device maybe a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/orany device that stores digital information. Note that when the controlmodule 200 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memorystoring the corresponding operational instructions is embedded with thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. In particular, control module 200 caninclude a look-up table, algorithm or other instructions that determinerecharge control signal 214 and output control signal 212 based on thevalue or values of monitor signal 210.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates, in profile view, a system forconverting mechanical energy in to usable electric energy in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, springstorage system includes energy storage device 1, power drive gear 2 a,gearing 4, gear box 7, power shaft 2, primary regenerating gear 37, diskrotor 27 and caliper 28. Spring recharge module 208 includes solar panel20, energy storage device 18 a, regenerating motor 33, control switch 31and regeneration gear 36. Control module 200 includes control module 29.

The drawing schematically illustrates the energy storage device 1,shown, for example, as a torsional spring, that is attached to theregenerating gear 31 and power shaft 2. Power shaft 2 is, in turn,attached to the power drive gear 2 a. As the torsional force is releasedit causes the power drive gear to move as indicated by arrow 3.

The generated torque is then increased by the use of gearing 4 and istransferred to the gearbox input shaft 5. As the torsional force isapplied, it makes the gearbox input shaft 5 turn as indicated by arrow6. The energy is then transferred within the gearbox 7 and in turncauses the gearbox output/generator input shaft 8 to begin to turn, asshown by arrow 9.

The transferred energy 9 is introduced to a conventional electric powergenerator 10, than converts the torsional energy into electric energy11. The electric energy 11 is transmitted along conductor's 11 a to acontrol/switch panel 12. The control/switch panel 12, is grounded usinga sized conductor 12 a and a sized grounding rod 12 b. The electricenergy is then transmitted along electric conductors 13 into a standardfuse panel 14. As the energy exits panel 14, it is transmitted alongconductors 15 and into the user receptacles 16. The control/switch panel12 also diverts energy to be used in other applications. The controller22 is coupled to command the control/switch panel 12 to divert excesselectric energy 17 along conductor 18 to be stored within the energystorage device 18 a. The energy storage device includes an AC/DCconverter for converting AC energy 17 into DC power suitable forcharging the energy storage device 18 a. Energy storage device 18 a,shown as a battery, also receives and stores electric current that iscaptured from solar energy 19. The solar energy converter 20 processesand transmits electric current 21 to a controller 22 and stores it inthe energy storage device 18 a. When the other obligations have beenmet, the controller 22 is coupled to control/switch panel 12 optionallydiverts excess energy 23 through the existing electric meter 23 a alongconductors 24 to the existing power transmission system 25.

In order to produce stable electric energy, the rotations per minute(“RPM”) of the gearbox output/generator input shaft 8 should be constantor substantially constant; this motion is shown at its point ofinitiation by arrow 26 and generates a velocity signal, such as monitorsignal 210, via a sensor such as a tachometer, optical disk or othersensor that is coupled to control module 29. The torsional force and/orexcess velocity can be controlled by applying a frictional force(example: magnetic, friction pads, pneumatic, electromagnetic mechanicaland hydraulically) on power shaft 2. This control force is schematicallyillustrated with a frictional control system.

The frictional control system consists of rams, cylinders, disk rotors,friction pads, pumps, sensors, computer control system, couplers,piping, reservoir, and various types of valves. This friction systemoperates as follows the rotating force of the energy storage device 1 istransferred to the power shaft 2 (this motion is shown by arrow 26).This rotational energy is channeled to the disk rotor 27. Pressure isthen applied through the use of hydraulic caliper 28. This caliper 28 iscontrolled via control module 29 based on the monitor signal 210 orinput data from the other systems sensors not specifically shown.

As the control module 29 detects recharging is required via a lowvelocity of shaft 2, decreased spring strain, increased springdisplacement, et cetera, a signal from control module 29, such asrecharge control signal 214, is sent through conductor 30 to controlswitch 31. Control switch 31 then calls for the previously describedstored energy in 18 a. This energy is then transmitted throughconductors 32 to the regenerating motor 33. As the regenerating motor ispowered, it causes shaft 34 to begin rotation 35. Shaft 34 is connectedto regenerating gear 36. Regeneration gear 36 is in contact to theprimary regenerating gear 37 causing it to rotate 38 and in turnreplacing the stored energy that has been used by rewinding the energystorage device 1.

As described above, the present invention uses a spring system, such asspring system 206, to store renewable energy for use in a powergeneration system. The spring system is configured to rewind itselfusing renewable energy, in use, creating a self-sustaining cycle.

FIG. 3 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular a method isshown that can be used in conjunction with one or more of the functionsand features described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. In step 400,energy is stored in a spring system having an input for recharging thestored energy and an output for releasing the stored energy. In step402, a monitor signal is generated based on a status parameter of thespring system. In step 404, the stored energy is released in accordancewith an output control signal. In step 406, the stored energy of thespring system is converted into electric power. In step 408, the storedenergy of the spring system is recharged in response to a rechargecontrol signal. In step 410, the recharge control signal and the outputcontrol signal are generated, based on the monitor signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 408 includes convertingsolar energy to electric power and/or converting wind energy or otherform of renewable energy to electric power. Step 408 can also includestoring electric power and driving the input of the spring system basedon the stored electric power. In addition, step 408 can includerecharging the stored energy based on at least a portion of the releasedstored energy.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spring system outputincludes a drive shaft that drives a generator at a rotational velocity,wherein the monitor signal indicates the rotation velocity, and whereinthe output control signal controls the rotation velocity to asubstantially constant value.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, design considerations, systemtolerances, etc. Such relativity between items ranges from a differenceof a few percent to order of magnitude differences. As may also be usedherein, the term(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, power level, andtype of signal. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e.,where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includesdirect and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as“coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to”indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform one or more its correspondingfunctions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more otheritems.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by components,circuits, processors executing appropriate software, mechanical,hydraulic or other elements and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A electrical power generating system comprising: a spring system thatstores stored energy, the spring system having an input for rechargingthe stored energy and an output for releasing the stored energy, whereinthe spring system includes a sensor that generates a monitor signalbased on a status parameter of the spring system and wherein the springsystem releases the stored energy in accordance with an output controlsignal; a generator, coupled to the output of the spring system, thatconverts the stored energy of the spring system into output electricpower; a spring recharge module, coupled to the input of the springsystem that includes a supplemental energy source and an electric motorthat operates based on input electric power from the supplemental energysource to recharge the stored energy of the spring system in response toa recharge control signal; and a control circuit, coupled to the springsystem and the spring recharge unit, that generates the recharge controlsignal and the output control signal, based on the monitor signal. 2.The electrical power generating system of claim 1 wherein thesupplemental energy source includes a solar panel that converts solarenergy to the input electric power.
 3. The electrical power generatingsystem of claim 1 wherein the supplemental energy source includes atleast one of, a wind generator, a geothermal power system, ahydroelectric power system, and a tidal power system.
 4. The electricalpower generating system of claim 1 wherein the supplemental energysource includes a waste water power generation system.
 5. The electricalpower generating system of claim 1 wherein the spring recharge moduleincludes a battery for storing the input electric power.
 6. Theelectrical power generating system of claim 1 wherein the springrecharge module includes a regeneration module that recharges the storedenergy based on at least a portion of the released stored energy.
 7. Theelectrical power generating system of claim 1 wherein the generator iscoupled to an electrical power system for providing supplementalelectrical power.
 8. The electrical power generating system of claim 1wherein the spring system output includes a drive shaft that drives thegenerator at a rotational velocity, wherein the monitor signal indicatesthe rotation velocity, and wherein the control module controls therotation velocity to a substantially constant value.
 9. A methodcomprising: storing energy in a spring system having an input forrecharging the stored energy and an output for releasing the storedenergy; generating via a sensor, a monitor signal based on a statusparameter of the spring system; releasing the stored energy inaccordance with an output control signal; converting the stored energyof the spring system into output electric power; recharging the storedenergy of the spring system in response to a recharge control signal,via an electric motor that operates from an input electric powergenerated by a supplemental energy source; and generating via a controlcircuit, the recharge control signal and the output control signal,based on the monitor signal.
 10. The method of claim 9 whereinrecharging the stored energy of the spring system includes convertingsolar energy to the input electric power.
 11. The method of claim 9wherein recharging the stored energy of the spring system includes atleast one of converting wind energy to the input electric power,converting waste water flow to the input electric power, convertingwater flow to the input electric power, converting geothermal energy tothe input electric power, converting tidal energy to the input electricpower.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein recharging the stored energy ofthe spring system includes storing the input electric power.
 13. Themethod of claim 9 wherein recharging the stored energy of the springsystem includes recharging the stored energy based on at least a portionof the released stored energy.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein thespring system output includes a drive shaft that drives a generator at arotational velocity, wherein the monitor signal indicates the rotationvelocity, and wherein the output control signal controls the rotationvelocity to a substantially constant value.